RVP on Fergie

The Dutchman left Arsenal for Old Trafford in August 2012 and helped United to the Premier League title that season - Ferguson's last in charge.

He told the Guardian: "My decision to come to Manchester was partly because of the presence of Ferguson, or excuse me, Sir Alex. And he told me he’d stay for another three years. I enjoyed his approach.

“We were once 18 points clear of City but we lost at home 2-1. We were still 15 points ahead but he was furious. Then I realised: he’s a winner."

(Image: Man Utd via Getty)

Filling in

Michael Carrick is ready to help United's cause against Palace today - whether it be in midfield or defence.

The 33-year-old made his first appearance of the season in last weekend's derby defeat as a makeshift centre-half following Chris Smalling's red card.

He told MUTV: "It’s weird – every season, there seems to be a little block of a few games, whether it’s one, two, three or four, where I’m asked to do that job.

"It has been [the case] in the past and I don’t mind. It’s something that, over the years, I’ve become used to and it took a while at first as it’s about different sorts of instincts.

"There are positions I would normally take up in midfield without thinking about but, when there are different positions at the back, you have to second guess in a way and that split second can cost you at times."